"Alien and Predator Surge: Is Another AVP on the Horizon?"

Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025. The year promises two new Predator films directed by Prey's Dan Trachtenberg, including the live-action Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers. Additionally, the Alien universe will expand with an FX show, Alien: Earth, crafted by Noah Hawley, known for his work on Fargo and Legion. While these projects aren't officially connected, the rich history of the Alien and Predator shared universe, spanning films, comic books, and video games, suggests potential for crossover excitement.

Analyzing the promotional materials for Predator: Badlands and Alien: Earth reveals intriguing hints that Disney might be setting the stage for a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) film. Let's delve into these developments and explore why we might see AVP back on the big screen sooner rather than later.

Evil Easter Eggs ----------------

The teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands has sparked speculation about a potential AVP film. It features Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic connected to a new Predator named Dek, confirmed as the film's protagonist by Trachtenberg. While this doesn't confirm a crossover, the shared universe's history adds weight to the speculation, especially with new promotional content for Alien: Earth.

In the Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth, several Easter eggs link to Alien lore. The black liquid mutagen from Prometheus appears, leading to an egg sac similar to one in Alien: Romulus. A mutated facehugger-like creature emerges, contained on a ship resembling the Nostromo, dubbed the Maginot. It's designated "Species 37" and marked with unknown DNA by the ship's computer, MU-TH-UR. Given the show's timeline, set two years before the original Alien, it suggests that Species 37 might have been the initial clue leading Weyland-Yutani to the Xenomorphs.

A related teaser called Crate showcases specimen containers, with a narrator mentioning the collection of five unique life forms from the universe. While a classic Xenomorph appears, the mention of five species hints at an expanded roster of alien creatures. This could potentially include connections to the Predators, especially with Predator: Badlands set on an alien world where Dek hunts extraterrestrial monstrosities. Could Elle Fanning's android be searching for these specimens? Or might one of these monsters mutate into something featured in Badlands or Killer of Killers? While we await the premiere, the possibility of Predator DNA in Alien: Earth is intriguing.

Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History

The Alien and Predator franchises have shared a universe since the 1989 Dark Horse comic series, Aliens vs. Predator, followed by a Xenomorph skull Easter egg in Predator 2 in 1990. Numerous comics and video games in the '90s solidified their shared world, long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe popularized the concept.

Despite the early crossover attempts with the AVP films in 2004 and 2007, the series struggled due to poor reception, despite box office success. The rise of serialized superhero and science-fiction blockbusters, influenced by the Star Wars prequels, didn't help AVP, which was treated as a B-tier property by 20th Century Fox. Yet, the franchises boast iconic films like Ridley Scott's Alien, James Cameron's Aliens, and John McTiernan's Predator. The 2010s saw further challenges with Ridley Scott's Prometheus series and Shane Black's The Predator. However, the success of Prey in 2022 and Alien: Romulus in 2024 has revitalized both franchises, making a new AVP film seem more plausible.

Is it time for a new Alien vs. Predator movie? ----------------------------------------------

Yes.No.Let's discuss in the comments.Uh, whoever wins... we lose?

AnswerSee ResultsConverging for Carnage ----------------------

A sequel to Alien: Romulus is in development, with director Fede Álvarez returning and expressing interest in directing an AVP film. Alien: Romulus was a critical and commercial success, relaunching the franchise while maintaining connections to the Prometheus series. Characters Rain Carradine and Andy, played by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, are in stasis heading to Yvaga III, setting the stage for a sequel. With Predator: Badlands also set in space, the potential for cameos or Easter eggs linking to Alien: Romulus is high.

Álvarez has suggested that the best AVP film would surprise audiences by introducing the other creature unexpectedly. This approach could revitalize the crossover concept, especially with the previous AVP films set on Earth and criticized for their two-dimensional characters. A new AVP film could disregard the older movies and start fresh, perhaps featuring Dek as the protagonist and exploring the Predalien concept further. The inclusion of Engineer mutagen could create a terrifying new creature, part Alien, part Predator, and part Engineer.

With both franchises in a healthier state than in recent years, a new AVP film seems increasingly likely. Given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium integration, a new Alien vs. Predator film feels like a matter of when, not if. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, these iconic monsters may finally get the epic battle they deserve on the big screen.

View 12 Images